Quick connect electrical box

ABSTRACT

There is provided a quick connect electrical box assembly that can be attached to a construction member such as a wall stud. The electrical box includes a box frame and a box back. The box frame and box back each include reciprocal snap connectors so that the frame can be joined to the back. Channels are configured in the box back, and conductor rails are positioned in these rails. Common electrical wires, such as are founded in three-strand bundled power lines, can be stripped of their insulation and placed in the rails. The rails, formed of conductive material such as copper, then form an electrical connection within the box. Using this box an electrician can quickly and efficiently bring power to a location during rough assembly. Later, during finish electrical work, the electrician can also plug devices such as switches and plugs into the box. The switches and plugs, configured with prongs, make electrical connection with the rails and thereby receive power. The electrical box thus offers improved construction efficiency.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electrical wiring and constructionmethods related to electrical wiring. More particularly the presentinvention relates to a quick connect electrical box that can accelerateconstruction methods and provide versatility in application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During construction, both residential and commercial, an electricianwill typically feed wires, such as a ROMEX® three wire power cable, froma power source (a breaker box for example in home construction) throughthe building to various end points and junction points such as switches,receptacles, and fixtures. Per National Electric Code (NEC), and othercodes, the terminal points or junction points typically receive thethree strand wire in an electrical box. Within such an electrical boxdifferent wires are joined so as to create electrical connections. Thus,for example, a supply wire brings power to a switch, and an outgoingwire from the switch leads to an electrical element such as a lightfixture. Following the presently known methods of construction, anelectrician can spend a significant amount of time in making the wireconnections held within an electrical box. Wires must be individuallystripped and joined, typically using wire nuts. Good electrical practicemay call for an electrician to “pig tail” individual wires; i.e.,joining common wire groups (power, return, and ground) in a common wirenut and leading a shorter wire “pig tail” to a switch or plug. This is atime consuming operation. It would be desired to provide constructionmeans and methods that would allow the electrician to accelerateelectrical wiring so as to achieve a time and labor savings.

Additionally, poor or substandard wire connections within an electricalbox lead to a significant amount of inspection failures. When anelectrical job receives an inspection failure, the electrician isgenerally required to return to the job side and devote additionalconstruction time to correct the failure. It is desired to provideconstruction means and methods to minimize such failures. Further, thejoining of electrical wires requires a certain level of skill and talentthat is difficult for some individuals to achieve, and such juniorelectricians may encounter a higher degree of inspection failure. Thus,it would further be desired to provide construction means and methodsthat allow for an improved, robust electrical connection that can bemore easily obtained, even for individuals of moderate skill, thanpresent construction methods.

It would generally be desired that any improvement in electrical wiringconstruction be relatively inexpensive, compared to other alternatives.And further, it would be desired that improvements could be retrofitwith existing equipment and applied to existing wiring configurations.

Hence there has been identified a need to provide an improved method andmeans for making electrical connections. It would be desired to providean improved electrical box that could be used in both residential andcommercial applications. It would further be desired to provide a quickconnection electrical box that, while strong and robust in structure,can be retrofit into existing structures and wiring configurations. Itis further desired to provide an improved electrical box that savesinstallation time for an electrician while minimizing the risk ofinspection failures. The present invention addresses one or more ofthese needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, and by way ofexample only, there is provided a quick connect electrical box assemblythat can be attached to a construction member such as a wall stud. Theelectrical box includes a box frame and a box back. The box frame andbox back each include reciprocal snap connectors so that the frame canbe joined to the back. Channels are configured in the box back, andconductor rails are positioned in these rails. Common electrical wires,such as are founded in three-strand bundled power lines, can be strippedof their insulation and placed in the rails. The rails, formed ofconductive material such as copper, then form an electrical connectionwithin the box. Using this box an electrician can quickly andefficiently bring power to a location during rough assembly. Later,during finish electrical work, the electrician can also plug devicessuch as switches and plugs into the box. The switches and plugs,configured with prongs, make electrical connection with the rails andthereby receive power. The electrical box thus offers improvedconstruction efficiency.

In another aspect of the present invention, still by way of exampleonly, there is provided an assembly for connecting electrical cablesthat comprises a first length of three strand cable having a positivewire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire, and each of the positive wire,neutral wire, and ground wire having an insulated portion and a bareportion; a transfer electrical box having a box back and a box frame,and the transfer electrical box having three channels positioned on aback of the transfer electrical box, and a conducting rail disposed ineach channel; wherein an exposed positive wire from the first length ofthree strand cable is secured in a first rail of the transfer electricalbox, an exposed neutral wire from the first length of three strand cableis secured in a second rail of the transfer electrical box, and anexposed ground wire from the three strand cable is secured in a thirdrail of the transfer electrical box; a second length of four strandcable having a first end and a second end, and having a first positivewire, a second positive wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire; whereinan exposed first end of the first positive wire of the second length offour strand cable is disposed within the same conducting rail that theexposed positive wire from the first length of three strand cable isdisposed; wherein an exposed first end of the second positive wire ofthe second length of four strand wire is disposed within the sameconducting rail that the exposed positive wire from the first length ofthree strand cable is disposed; wherein an exposed first end of theneutral wire of the second length of four strand cable is disposedwithin the same conducting rail that the exposed neutral wire from thefirst length of three strand cable is disposed; wherein an exposed firstend of the ground wire from the second length of four strand cable isdisposed within the same conducting rail that the exposed ground wirefrom the first length of three strand cable is disposed; a terminalelectrical box having a box back connected to a box frame, and theterminal electrical box having three channels with three conductingrails positioned in the box back; wherein an exposed second end of thefirst positive wire of the second length of four strand cable and anexposed second end of the second positive wire of the second length offour strand cable are disposed in the same first conducting rail of theterminal electrical box; wherein an exposed second end of the neutralwire of the second length of four strand cable is disposed within asecond conducting rail of the terminal electrical box; wherein anexposed second end of the ground wire of the second length of fourstrand cable is disposed within a third conducting rail of the terminalelectrical box; and such that the power rail of the transfer electricalbox is in electrical communication with the power rail of the terminalelectrical box, the neutral rail of the transfer electrical box is inelectrical communication with the neutral rail of the terminalelectrical box, and the ground rail of the transfer electrical box is inelectrical communication with the neutral rail of the terminalelectrical box.

Other independent features and advantages of the quick connectelectrical box will become apparent from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a quick connect electrical box, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a quick connect electrical box, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a quick connect electrical box, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cut away view of a quick connect electrical box, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a conductor rail, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of ROMEX® wire connected to electrical boxes,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of an electrical box and switch insert,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a further cutaway view of an electrical box and switch insert,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of a rail block positioned in a plasticelectrical box, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rail block positioned in a plasticelectrical box, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top cutaway view of a rail block positioned in a plasticelectrical box, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top cutaway view of a double rail block with switch insertpositioned in a double plastic electrical box, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a double rail block with switch insertpositioned in a double plastic electrical box, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side cutaway view of a double rail block with switch insertpositioned in a double plastic electrical box, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a plan view of an electrical box with insert, showing anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a side cutaway view of the assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C is a plan view of an electrical box with dual inserts, showingan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15D is a side cutaway view of the assembly shown in FIG. 15C;

FIG. 15E is a plan view of a further electrical box with an insert,showing embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15F is a side cutaway view of the assembly shown in FIG. 15E.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The following providesa summary of reference numbers and the structure associated therewith,unless the context of the description indicates otherwise.

-   10 electrical box assembly-   11 box frame-   12 box back-   13 frame snap connector-   14 back snap connector-   15 nail guide-   16 wire cutaway-   20 channel-   21 conductor rails-   22 conductor rail top-   23 conductor rail holding area-   24 ROMEX® wire-   25 sheathing-   26 wire strand-   27 bare wire-   28 wire insulation-   30 jump tab-   31 positive wire-   32 negative wire-   33 ground wire-   40 switch insert-   41 prong-   42 face plate-   43 screw-   44 switch body-   47 securing screw-   50 transfer electrical box-   51 terminal electrical box-   61 blue wire-   62 black wire-   101 rail block-   104 legs-   105 tape-   107 rail surface-   108 finger recess-   109 friction connector-   110 plastic box-   120 receptacle-   130 double box-   140 light box-   142 light insert

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplaryin nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the applicationand uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any theory presented in the preceding background of theinvention or the following detailed description of the invention.Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 there is shown a preferred embodiment of aquick connect electrical box 10. Components of box 10 include box frame11 and box back 12. Box frame 11 and box back 12 can further includereciprocally matching snap connectors so that, by manual hand pressure,box back 12 can be attached to box frame 11. Thus, box frame 11 mayinclude a frame snap connector or first connector 13, and box back 12may include a back snap connector 14 or second snap connector. Whensnapped together, box frame 11 and box back 12 form a quick connectelectrical box or assembly 10. Box frame 11 may additionally have wirecutaways 16, areas of removed material, through which wires may passthrough box frame 11, even when assembled with box back, as furtherdescribed herein. It will be appreciated that the overall dimensions ofbox 10 can vary. However, it is generally preferred that the dimensionsclosely match the dimensions commonly specified for electrical boxapplications by various construction codes such as, for example, theNational Electrical Code NEC). Similarly, as for materials, box frame 11and box back 12 can be manufactured of a variety of materials, includingfor example metal alloys and plastics, and it is generally desired thatthe materials selected be approved materials for electrical boxconstruction under the NEC.

It is further noted that the electrical box assembly 10 can includefeatures that are commonly associated with electrical box usage. Forexample, assembly 10 can include a nail guide 15. Nail guide 15comprises a set of structures or protrusions through which a nail (orother fastener) can be guided so that the nail can then be driven into astud (or other structure) thereby securing assembly 10 to the stud.

Referring again to the box back 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4,box back 12 includes a plurality of channels 20. Conductor rails 21 aredisposed within channels 20. While any number of channels 20 can becreated in box back 12, it is preferred to provide three such channels20 corresponding to positive, negative, and ground wires, as explainedfurther herein. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, conductor rail 21 can bea single continuous piece; optionally, conductor rail 21 may comprisetwo pieces with a break or discontinuity between the pieces. The twopiece conductor rail configuration is advantageously used, as describedfurther herein, with plugs or switches to wire boxes with a desiredresult. The conductor rail 21 is preferably fabricated of knownelectrical conducting material such as copper, aluminum, and alloys ofeach. The length of channel 20 preferably runs completely from the firstedge to the opposite edge of box back 12.

Referring next to FIG. 5 there is shown a close up cut away view of apreferred embodiment of conductor rail 21. Specifically it is shown thatconductor rail 21 includes a top structure 22 and a holding area 23. Top22 may generally consist of short walls set along opposing sides ofconductor rail 21 to form a v-shaped area. Top 22 is dimensioned so asto receive common grades of exposed electrical wire. Holding area 23 isdimensioned so as firmly to hold in place common grades of exposedelectrical wire. Preferably conductor rail 21 has a degree of resiliencyin that an exposed wire can first be aligned lengthwise along top 22,finger pressure acting on the wire can then press the wire past top 22and into holding area 23. Further, top 22 is dimensioned so that once awire passes top 23 and moves into holding area 23, top 23 snaps back toits original position thereby holding wire within holding area 23.

Referring next to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a wire connection betweena transfer electrical box 50 and terminal electrical box 51. Power isbrought initially into first electrical box 50 through Romex® wire 24.Wire 24 typically includes three individual wire strands 26, a positivewire 31, negative wire 32, and ground wire 33. Each wire strand 26 ispositioned in a separate conductor rail 21. Thus, when electric currentis sent through positive wire 31, that current also passes into currentrail 21 and electrically activates that rail. Any wire 26 which may alsobe attached to rail 21 will receive that electrical charge. In a similarmanner, neutral wire 32 may be attached to a rail 21, and ground wire 33may be attached to a rail. Preferably each of these wires, neutral wire32 and ground wire 33, would be in electrical contact with the rail soas to send and receive charge through the rail 21 to which each isattached. FIG. 6 also illustrates the preferred embodiment in whichpositive wire 31 and neutral wire 32 are connected at opposite ends ofbox back 12, so as to maximally separate these wires, and ground wire 33is positioned in the middle.

FIG. 6 further illustrates a second length of multi-strand wire, such asRomex® wire 24, a four strand wire. As is known in the art, such a fourstrand wire 24 may include two positive wires, typically colored blueand black, which may be used for example to activate a ceiling fan inthe configuration where black powers the fan and blue powers thelighting (or vice versa). As shown in FIG. 6 the blue 61 and black 62wires may be attached to the same rail 21. In this manner power may bebrought to transfer box 50 through a first positive wire 31, and thatpower can then be transferred to blue wire 61 and black wire 62 which inturn carries the power to terminal box 51. Blue wire 61 and black wire62 are similarly connected at opposite ends of the same rail 21 atterminal box 51. Similarly, neutral and ground connections can transferelectrical charge between transfer box 50 and terminal box 51 through

Referring next to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a switch insert 40coupled with a electrical box assembly 10. Switch insert 40 furtherincludes switch body 44 with face plate 42 attached thereto. Switch body44 further may have prongs 41 attached thereto by screws 43. While in apreferred embodiment, screws 43 are used to attach prongs 41, otherattachment means may be used such as clipping, soldering, and othermeans known in the art. Prongs 41 are advantageously configured andsized so that prongs 41 can mate with rails 21. Further, when as shownin FIG. 8, three prongs 41 are present, each prong 41 can connect with adifferent rail 21. Additionally, prongs 41 and rails 21 are preferablysized so that when prongs 41 are inserted into rails 21, the prongs 41are securely held in place, and thus switch insert 40 is likewise heldin position relative to box assembly 10. Additionally, switch insert 40can be secured to box assembly 10 with securing screws 47 as also shownin FIG. 8. Securing screws 47 may comprise a steeply pitched screw typefor securing in a plastic receiving area (not shown). Prongs 41 arepreferably made of a conductive material, such as copper or copperalloy, so as to transfer electrical current to and from rails 21. Switchinsert 40 is preferably sized so that when switch insert 40 is fullysecured to box assembly (so that prongs 41 have fully seated andcontacted rails 21) face place 42 of switch insert 40 is aligned withthe top edge of box frame 11. In this way when a box assembly 10 andswitch insert 40 is secured in a building wall, a decorative cover (notshown) can then be positioned over these items so as to hide them fromview. This is further advantageous in that, during construction, abuilder need only align box assembly 10 such that the top edge thereofis at a desired location, for example with respect to a stud or a sheetrock edge, and the builder can then secure the box assembly 10 knowingthat a switch insert 41, which may be later attached, will align withbox assembly 10.

Switch insert 40 may comprise internal hardware, conductors, andconfiguration (not shown) so as to render the switch insert 40functional as, for example, a power switch. In an alternativeembodiment, insert 40 may comprise receptacles for receiving standardpower cables so as to provide the functionality for an electrical wallplug. In both cases, prongs 41 serve to transfer electrical current toand from rails 21 and the switch insert body 44. Thus, in a preferredembodiment, a switch insert 40 includes three prongs 41 corresponding topositive, neutral, and ground rails 21. It will also be appreciated thatwires, which are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, can also be present to addto an electrical circuit.

Referring next to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 there is shown an embodiment of arail block 101 which can also be used as described herein to accelerateelectrical connections. Rail block 101 is preferably sized so as to fitwithin a standard electrical junction box, such as an 18 cubic inchplastic box 110. In one embodiment rail block 101 includes structuressuch as legs 104. Legs 104 are preferably sized so as to contact thebottom of box 102, where rail block 101 can be held in place as by anexisting means such as double sided foam tape 105. Other kinds ofconnections are possible. Rail block 101 further includes rail surface107 which acts as a structure within which channels 20 and conductorrails 21 can be positioned. FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 further illustrate apreferred embodiment in which two conductor rails 21 are separated froma third conductor rail 21, and this is done in order to provide physicalseparation between the hot/power rail and the neutral and ground rails.It is also noted that legs 104 are a preferred structure for materialsavings; however, other kinds of structure, such as honeycomb shapes arepossible to provide the needed elevation for rail surface 107 from thebox bottom. FIG. 10 also demonstrates a finger recess 108 positioned inrail surface 107. Finger recess 108 allows a user's fingers to easilyaccess jump tab 30.

FIG. 9 further illustrates an advantageous structure for connecting astripped wire with conductor rail 21. Rail block 101 is fitted withfriction connectors 109 known in the art. A bare wire is fed intofriction connector 109, and the connector 109 both holds the wire inplace and makes an electrical connection with the wire. Frictionconnectors 109 further make electrical connection with conductor rails21. Friction connectors 109 can be positioned in various locations, andmultiple friction connectors 109 can be positioned along the sameconductor rail 21. In this manner one friction connector 109 can make anelectrical connection at a first end of conductor rail 21, electricitycan pass through conductor rail 21, and then a second wire can beconnected at the opposite end of conductor rail 21 to pick up and passon the electrical connection.

The rail block 101 shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 is useful in hasteningand improving existing construction methods. During rough constructionthe plastic box 110 can be affixed to a wall stud. Wires can be run tobox and left in an unassembled form. Then, perhaps during a later phaseof construction, wire attachments can be made. At this time anelectrician can make electrical connections to a rail block 101. Therail block 101 can then be inserted into plastic box 110. If desiredplastic box 110 can be covered, or as further described below, a switchcover can be applied over plastic box 110.

Referring next to FIG. 12, 13, and 14, there is illustrated an assemblyincluding both rail block 101 and switch insert 40. The illustratedembodiment also shows how two rail blocks 101 can be used in a doublebox along with two switch inserts 40. It is noted that prongs 41 areshaped and retrofit so as to provide an electrical connection betweenexisting switch insert 40 and conductor rails 21. Such an embodiment isadvantageously used with a double switch so that a switch cover platewould be used to cover box 110.

The structure and embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 through 14 are furtherillustrated in a combined application shown in FIGS. 15A through 15F. Inthis embodiment, three-strand wire brings power into a bottom boxconfigured as a receptacle 120. In the receptacle 120 embodiment a box110 is fitted with a rail block 101. Rail block 101 receives areceptacle insert. A receptacle cover (not shown) covers rail block 101,insert, and box 110 such that a standard three-pronged plug can beinserted into receptacle 110. It is noted that a second three-strandwire extends upward from receptacle 120 and brings power to doubleswitch 130. It is further noted that in both three-strand wires theindividual wires are connected to rail block 101 through frictionconnectors 109. Within double switch 130, the wire is connected to alower position of rail block 101. A switch insert is connected to railblock, and a switch cover should be used. A further three strand wire isagain connected to an upper position of switch. The wire connected tothe upper position of switch 130 can proceed to a light box 140. Lightbox 140 can include a rail block 101 and a light insert 142. Lightinsert 142 is configured so as to provide pronged connectors with whichto connect with rail block 101 in the manner that other inserts connect.However, light insert 142 also includes friction connections 109 withwhich to receive wires from a light fixture (not shown). The lightfixture can then be attached to and hung from box 110 in the standardfashion.

Having described electrical box assembly 10 from a structuralstandpoint, a method of using assembly 10 will now be described.Individual wires from a strand of ROMEX® wire are first freed from theouter casing and insulation is trimmed to expose a short length of barewire. The bare wire is then placed within a conductor rail 21 of boxback 12. Preferably the conductor rail 21 is sized so that a wire can beplaced lengthwise along the top 22 of conductor rail 21 and then snappedinto the holding area 23 of conductor rail 21. If desired, opposingstrands of wire can be similarly attached from the opposing end of boxback 12. And, if desired, jump tab 30 can be inserted into one or moreconductor rails 21. Once the wire attachments to box back 12 have beenassembled in a desired fashion, box back 12 can be affixed to a boxframe 11 thereby creating electrical box assembly 10. At this time,assembly 10 can be secured, for example to a wall stud, for example byaligning a nail through nail guide 15 and driving the nail into thestud.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedfor elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to a particular embodiment disclosedas the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but thatthe invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A quick connect electrical box assembly for receiving electricalwires comprising: a box frame defining walls and having a first snapconnector; a box back having a perimeter for adjoining the box framewalls and a second snap connector configured to attach to the first snapconnector so as to form an electrical box assembly; a plurality ofchannels configured in the box back; and a plurality of conductor railsdisposed in the channels, the conductor rails configured to receive andhold electrical wires.
 2. The electrical box according to claim 1wherein each of said conductor rails comprises a top and a holding areaand wherein each of said conductor rails comprises an electricallyconducting material.
 3. The electrical box according to claim 1 furthercomprising three channels and three rails for receiving positive,negative, and ground wires.
 4. The electrical box according to claim 1further comprising means for receiving an electrical switch.
 5. Theelectrical box according to claim 1 further comprising means forreceiving an electrical receptacle.
 6. The electrical box according toclaim 1 wherein at least one of said conductor rails comprises a firstrail section and a second rail section not electrically connected. 7.The electrical box according to claim 1 further comprising a jump tabdisposed in at least one of said conductor rails.
 8. The electrical boxaccording to claim 1 wherein the box frame defines wire cutaway holes.9. A quick connect electrical box assembly for attachment to aconstruction member comprising: a box frame defining four sides and wirecutaway holes and a first snap connector; a box back having a perimeterfor adjoining the box frame walls and a second snap connector configuredto attach to the first snap connector so as to form an electrical boxassembly; means for attaching the box frame to the construction memberwherein the means for attaching are affixed to the box frame; aplurality of channels configured in the box back; a conductor raildisposed in each of the channels wherein the conductor rail comprises atop and a holding area; and a plurality of electrical wires having aportion covered with insulation and a bare wire portion, the wirespassing through the cutaway holes and disposed within the holding areaof each of the conductor rails.
 10. The quick connect electrical boxassembly according to claim 9 comprising three channels and threeconductor rails.
 11. The quick connect electrical box assembly accordingto claim 9 wherein at least one of said conductor rails comprises afirst rail section and a second rail section not electrically connected.12. The quick connect electrical box assembly according to claim 9further comprising at least one jump tab disposed in one of saidconductor rails.
 13. The quick connect electrical box assembly accordingto claim 9 wherein the means for attaching the box frame to theconstruction member comprises a nail guide.
 14. The quick connectelectrical box assembly according to claim 9 further comprising anelectrical switch, having a plurality of prongs attached to the switch,the prongs configured so as to securely fit within the conductor rails,and the electrical switch attached to the conductor rails.
 15. The quickconnect electrical box assembly according to claim 14 wherein the switchcomprises three prongs carrying a positive wire, negative wire, andground wire.
 16. The quick connect electrical box assembly according toclaim 15 further comprising a screw connecting each of said prongs tothe switch.
 17. The quick connect electrical box assembly according toclaim 16 wherein the switch comprises a face plate and wherein the faceplate substantially aligns with a top edge of the box frame when theprongs of the switch are fully connected to the rails in the box back.18. An assembly for connecting electrical cables comprising: a firstlength of three strand cable having a positive wire, a neutral wire, anda ground wire, and each of the positive wire, neutral wire, and groundwire having an insulated portion and a bare portion; a transferelectrical box having a box back having a perimeter for adjoining boxframe walls and a box frame, and the transfer electrical box havingthree channels positioned on a back of the transfer electrical box, anda conducting rail disposed in each of said channels; wherein an exposedpositive wire from the first length of three strand cable is secured ina first rail of the transfer electrical box, an exposed neutral wirefrom the first length of three strand cable is secured in a second railof the transfer electrical box, and an exposed ground wire from thethree strand cable is secured in a third rail of the transfer electricalbox; a second length of four strand cable having a first end and asecond end, and having a first positive wire, a second positive wire, aneutral wire, and a ground wire; wherein an exposed first end of thefirst positive wire of the second length of four strand cable isdisposed within the same conducting rail that the exposed positive wirefrom the first length of three strand cable is disposed; wherein anexposed first end of the second positive wire of the second length offour strand wire is disposed within the same conducting rail that theexposed positive wire from the first length of three strand cable isdisposed; wherein an exposed first end of the neutral wire of the secondlength of four strand cable is disposed within the same conducting railthat the exposed neutral wire from the first length of three strandcable is disposed; wherein an exposed first end of the ground wire fromthe second length of four strand cable is disposed within the sameconducting rail that the exposed ground wire from the first length ofthree strand cable is disposed; a terminal electrical box having a boxback having a perimeter for adjoining box frame walls connected to a boxframe, and the terminal electrical box having three channels with threeconducting rails positioned in the box back; wherein an exposed secondend of the first positive wire of the second length of four strand cableand an exposed second end of the second positive wire of the secondlength of four strand cable are disposed in a first conducting rail ofthe terminal electrical box; wherein an exposed second end of theneutral wire of the second length of four strand cable is disposedwithin a second conducting rail of the terminal electrical box; whereinan exposed second end of the ground wire of the second length of fourstrand cable is disposed within a third conducting rail of the terminalelectrical box; and such that the first rail of the transfer electricalbox is in electrical communication with the first conducting rail of theterminal electrical box, the second rail of the transfer electrical boxis in electrical communication with the second conducting rail of theterminal electrical box, and the third rail of the transfer electricalbox is in electrical communication with the third conducting rail of theterminal electrical box.
 19. The assembly according to claim 18 whereineach conducting rail comprises a top and a holding area and wherein eachexposed wire is confined within the holding area.
 20. The assemblyaccording to claim 18 wherein power applied to the first positive wireof the first length of three strand cable is transferred to the firstconducting rail of the terminal electrical box.
 21. A rail block forforming electrical connections positioned within an electrical box usinga support, said rail block comprising: a rail surface; the supportconnected to and supporting the rail surface within the electrical box;at least one channel configured within the rail surface; a conductorrail positioned within the channel; and at least one friction connectorconnected to the conductor rail, the friction connector configured toreceive a bare wire.
 22. The rail block according to claim 21 furthercomprising three channels having three conductor rails.
 23. The railblock according to claim 21 having at least two friction connectorsconnected to said conductor rail.
 24. The rail block according to claim21 further comprising a finger recess.
 25. The rail block according toclaim 21 wherein the support comprises legs.
 26. The rail blockaccording to claim 21 wherein the support comprises a honeycombstructure.